catherine mcmahon

Country girl, surfer girl and yogini unite. It’s all about balance and play for Catherine. Forever inspired and challenged by living her yoga off the mat and around the world, Catherine's teaching embodies a philosophy that celebrates the beauty of life, the human body and nature. She believes that the path to contentment in body and mind lies strongly in the power of connecting to the energies, cycles and rhythms of the universe. With movement, breath work and meditation in her teaching and her own practice she hopes to help guide others in this direction.

A graduate of The Asheville Yoga Center’s teacher certification, she has taught in the Charlottesville area since 2013. She is also the founder of Mango SUP & Yoga Adventures. Catherine travels annually to her "second home" of Costa Rica to surf, practice yoga and experience the country’s incredible beauty. In addition to studio classes, teaching at music festivals and offering retreats, Catherine teaches stand up paddle yoga with her company. If she’s not in the studio, you’ll find her paddling or practicing on her board, surfing in Central America or simply lazin’ in a field. As an E-RYT (1000+ teaching hrs), she continues on her insatiable path of learning attending workshops and studying under the guidance of her favorite teachers including Shiva Rea, Leslie Kaminoff and Clara Roberts-Oss. She is currently working towards her 500hr certification. She is full of gratitude for all of her teachers and feels extremely blessed to be a part of the yoga community in Crozet and beyond.

ashley Holland

How long have you been practicing and how did you find yoga?

I took my first series of yoga classes (kundalini yoga) about 14 years ago when I was living in Madrid studying abroad. When I returned to the states a friend of mine who was a dancer brought me to a vinyasa flow class while living in Richmond, VA. Vinyasa was a way for me to move my body, flow with music and quiet my mind. I quickly felt more rooted in myself and less stressed, I was hooked!

Years later I completed a 200 hour training with Vidya Heisel in Ubud, Bali and then did my 500 hour training in 2015 with Cyndi Lee of OM yoga who I consider to be my primary teacher now. Her fusion of yoga poses and Buddhist philosophy is something I try to incorporate into my practice.

Favorite pose?

Ardah Chandrasana - half moon is a great mix of balance and beauty and there are so many variations. I always get excited about handstands!

Why do you teach yoga?

To share with people around me the physical and mental benefits that yoga has allowed me to feel. Although I will always be a student of yoga I really enjoy teaching and have striven since to learn and grow as a teacher so that people can leave my classes feeling refreshed, feeling good. I want to offer people the space to just be with themselves, disconnected from all of life's distractions.

Chloe Watkins

How long have you been practicing and how did you find yoga?

I went to my first yoga class in 2006 at Bikram Yoga Charlottesville (now Hot Yoga Charlottesville). At that point in my life I was a limber, care-free college student with nothing to worry about except what my plans were later that evening. Nevertheless, I found that after class I was more grounded and more connected with myself and my community, so I kept going back.

In 2012, in the throws a series of life crisese, I found the value of my yoga practice and committed fiercely to developing it as a tool in my life. That was the year I got certified at Pure Yoga New York with Kay Kay Clivio and Yogi Charu. Following my training I did a mentorship with Terrence Monte before moving back to Virginia. I've never looked back.

Favorite pose?

That depends on the season, but Utthita Trikonasana (Triangle) pose has always been delightful for me. I love the groundedness of the pose as well as the side opening and lengthening. I also am a huge fan of all back bends as they come rather naturally to me (and who doesn't love doing what they are good at?)

Why do you teach yoga?

I teach yoga because it has truly been a gift to me, and I want to share that with my community. I am constantly amazed and humbled by how the practice of Yoga fosters not only physical health, but also is an incredible tool in managing stress and difficult life situations.

If you could have a super power what would it be (and why)?

I would love to be able to embrace people with a feeling of warmth and connection. I believe the feeling of connectedness is key to mental and physical health.

maggie robertson

How long have you been practicing and how did you find Yoga?

I dabbled in Yoga purely as exercise when I was in college. It was in graduate school that I found I was drawn to the mental and spiritual side of Yoga, it grounded me and left me feeling calmer during a stressful phase of my life. I have done ALL types of Yoga and truly don't dislike any. I finally landed in a Baptiste Affiliate studio in Pennsylvania and fell in love with Power Vinyasa. I find that it gives me the exercise piece that I enjoy but also allows me to settle in mentally and leave feeling more connected and relaxed.

I love to feel connection with my students, adults and children. I know the benefits I have seen in my life from practicing Yoga and hope to pass that along to as many people as possible!

If you could have a superpower what would it be (and why)?

To be able to fly! I think it would feel freeing, fun, AND would allow me to travel anywhere/anytime.

elizabeth poole

Elizabeth graduated in 1998 with a Masters of Science in Physical Therapy from Medical College of Virginia. She has spent her career working in outpatient settings with a variety of patients. In 2001 she began training in women’s health to include treatment of pelvic pain, incontinence, post hysterectomy rehab and post natal rehab. The benefits of training the core muscles with these patients led Elizabeth to seek further education in this area. She took her first Pilates mat work class in 2014 and began using the method in patient treatment with remarkable results. This quickly led to starting mat work classes in the PT fitness facility allowing PT clients to continue their Pilates practice and to serve a larger population. Elizabeth finished her mat work training in 2015 and became certified as a mat work instructor. In 2016 she opened a private Pilates studio, Foundations Pilates (Foundations-pilates.com), to further serve the Crozet community. Elizabeth is passionate about Pilates as an exercise method and enjoys sharing this passion with her PT community and Pilates community. Along with her PT and Pilates practice Elizabeth enjoys exercise and adventure races with friends, and spending time outdoors and camping with her husband, two boys and dog. Elizabeth can be reached at foundationspilatesllc@gmail.com.

Joanna Hughes

Joanna has been practicing yoga since 1998 primarily in the Ashtanga tradition. She completed 200 RYT in vinyasa flow with Cyndi Lee. Yoga has been pivotal in sailing thru the responsibilities of raising 4 children and working as a nurse. By taking lessons learned on the mat and applying them to the challenges of everyday life, she would like to help others tap into their own compassion, wisdom and stillness.

The Class:

A practice of basic yoga postures with special attention paid to alignment and breath allowing for an unfolding and flowing experience. Using a combination of heat producing asanas as well as restorative poses this class has at its core, a goal to help the student experience a sense of balance and equanimity.

Mia hamza

How long have you been practicing and how did you find yoga?

I started doing yoga as a young teenager with my mom at our local gym. I've been practicing consistently since then - over a decade!

Favorite Pose?

My all-time favorite pose is supine pigeon with a twist.

Why do you teach yoga?

I teach yoga to connect with my community, to creatively express, and to separate the forest from the trees.

If you could have a super power what would it be (and why)?

Teleportation would be my superpower of choice, because there's so much beauty in the world and so little time to see it all!

Lynsie McKeown

How long have you been practicing and how did you find yoga?

I’ve been practicing Yoga for 10 years, but the spiritual journey of self-inquiry started long before I got on my mat. Yoga enhances and supports my journey inward.

I found Yoga after a shoulder injury that never seemed to heal completely. A friend recommended Yoga. The rest? Well, that’s a long story to be told another time. Needless to say, something kept me coming back.

Favorite pose?

I have two! Handstand and Hanuman (Splits). I love Handstand because it reminds me to have more joy and play in my life and that when I choose to overcome my fears I can view the world from a new perspective. Hanuman is a Hindu deity that is the epitome of true devotion. The pose Hanuman is a reminder to me to remain devoted to the heart of the yoga practice.

Why do you teach yoga?

Interesting question. There are many reasons why and over the years those reasons have changed. Today I teach because I am inspired to support others on their own journey to awakening balance. Every class it is my intention to offer sacred space to heal, practices to empower and uplift, and encouragement to continue the journey inward no matter what.

If you could have a super power what would it be (and why)?

To remove the darkness that covers people’s hearts. Removing the darkness that covers our spiritual hearts (sadness, greed, envy, hate) we can see our true, authentic nature, and begin to see others clearly for who they truly are. Then, we can move forward together as a united global community.

Caitlin Pitts

How long have you been practicing and how did you find yoga?

I have been practicing for 22 years! I happened to go to a yoga class in college taught by an older lady who wore death metal t-shirts and read to us from her very detailed Iyengar notes as she taught. I loved the focus and challenge andcalmness all at the same time.

Favorite pose?

My favorite pose at the moment is a seated twist, Ardha Matsyendrasana. I love twists in general; they feel so good in my back and spine, and bring me mental and emotional and physical release!

Why do you teach yoga?

I think I teach because I want to help give other people the therapeutic experience that I get from doing yoga. I always feel centered, grounded, relaxed, and like a better version of myself at the end of a yoga practice, and I want to let others have that experience, too.

If you could have a super power what would it be (and why)?

To laugh more! Is this a superpower? It should be!

wendy reid

How long have you been practicing yoga?

I took my first class over 20 years ago after moving to London to train as a school teacher. During my first year, I had a baby. Yoga gave me a place to be where I found my inner strength and balance whilst juggling being a mother and busy student.

Favorite Pose?

I love all inversions! I find them challenging and playful, they push me out of my comfort zone.

Why do you teach yoga?

I have taught many different classes in the fitness industry from Pilates to dance and my passion always lay in helping people to recover from injuries and strengthen through movement and nutrition. Becoming a Yoga Teacher has taken this to a whole new level, the mindfulness and movement teaches the yogi to listen to the body to prevent and heal injuries. I am at the beginning of my journey as a yoga teacher and I am embracing the balance between teaching powerful Yang classes and slow meditative Yin classes.

If you could have a super power what would it be (and why)?

I was going to say flying but a more achievable super power would be that one day I could walk on my hands.

mia white

How long have you been practicing and how did you find yoga?

I began my yoga journey over 25 years ago. I was a dancer and loved it but began to feel hollow inside because in those days, they weren’t very good about connecting the inner and outer experience. So yoga beckoned, with its promise of connecting the mind, body, and spirit. Ever since, it has been one of my greatest teachers, an anchor in stormy seas, a compass in times of chaos, a vacation in the mind, a map for navigating life.

Favorite pose?

I love spinal twists, feeling energy spiraling through my body. My favorite restorative pose is Legs Up The Wall–-the best power nap.

Why do you teach yoga?

So many reasons! I have always loved teaching, and have taught many things. It is so gratifying to see others have “ah-ha” moments as they discover a new sensation, have a revelation, find new empowerment, and learn how yoga can help them improve every aspect of their lives. But of course, I always learn new things from my students as well!

If you could have a super power what would it be (and why)?

On the one hand (and at the risk of seeming copycat of the other teachers), I would also love to have the power of teleportation!––to more easily see my 3 sons in 3 different states, and to indulge my love of travel and cultures. On the other hand––I’d wish for a magic wand to restore the natural world.